Book: Moby Dick, AKA Whale ASMR

[grayestofghosts]

Yes, I finished Moby Dick by Herman Melville. I listened to it on audio so that's probably why I was able to finish. I did like it, but I was maybe not paying as close attention to it as I should have. A lot of people have complained about the passages that are just random spurious whale information but I did not find that particularly unpleasant. I liked the reader's voice and I guess the experience of most of the book became some sort of whale ASMR.

I remember hearing a lot of hate for this book when I was an adolescent that I don't really think is warranted. The style, which dips between narrative and information with some bizarre script-like stylistic flourishes honestly reminded me of some pieces of modern media, like Homestuck. Maybe these segments weren't particularly well-done but I think people demanding a straightforward narrative from books, especially ones like this, are misguided. Then again I did not have a high school literature teacher breathing down my neck demanding an interpretation about the whiteness of the whale, though, honestly, I have some opinions about that too.

Anyway if you want the same experience I listened to the version narrated by Pete Cross. It's a bit under 24 hours long and available through Audible and probably otherwise.

Comments

[ritaxis]

I tell people that the key to getting Moby Dick is to understand it as an extended standup routine. Hear all that whale stuff in a passionate,maniacally cackling voice. Then I think you get the spirit of Herman Melville.

[grayestofghosts]

This is really how you’re supposed to read Homestuck as well. Probably because of the context and time people understand that’s how Homestuck works better, now.

Melville was a funny guy, I think. I really liked Bartleby as a teenager.